New year comes in the blink of an eye. They say you wouldn't notice the time when you're too busy, Zohara didn't really notice the months passing.
That November and December, she spends her time shooting and studying. She also spends Christmas and New Year with her father in their country.
Her time spent with Soren, Nicht and Coco were limited to when she was in University.
Making Soren keep complaining on the internet but it also pushes him to study more, to be something, knowing how hardworking Zohara was.
She and Riujie were closer than before, they are now more on friendly terms and can joke around.
Then there's Leox, who is still adamant to her even causing an article on the internet.
When he gave her flowers every week after her birthday. Some staff leak the information and cause chaos. In the end, he ended up posting a clarification post in his personal account before the year ends and actually gaining some support.
•
@Leox H.
I'm Lenox Hill, yes, I'm the owner of Velin Studios. But for the people who accuse me of parachuting Zohara in her role, you're out of your mind. How could I place the person I like in such a role where there is a kissing scene? I would rather invest in a new S-tier film design for her than have her act as Lian Xue.
So why is she Lian Xue? Because she gets the role in her own strength and I don't have the right to remove it from her. If I see another post about this issue, I would sue.
10M Likes 2M Comments 1M shares
:AN ACTUAL HILL CONFESSING PUBLICLY?!
3M Likes
:Hill what?
:Girl, what's the name of shopping malls around our country?
:Hill?
:Yeah
:Huh?! FUCK ANOTHER BILLIONAIRE FAMILY?!
:ZOHARA THE BILLIONAIRE'S SON CATCHER
2M Like
:Fuck, I laugh
:They keep confessing in the internet lol
:ME TOO I WOULDNT WANT ZOHARA AS LIAN XUE! FUCK, JUST IMAGINING THE SCENE, I WANT TO CRY!
2M Likes
:I love how he respects Zohara's decision.
3M Likes
:I saw the article's photo, he looks so fucking hot! different to our puppy looking Soren!
:@Soren
Soren: You betrayed me.
:how do you feel about your other competition? @Soren
Soren: Stop tagging me! Well, Zohara probably didn't like him because he was parading himself here.
:fuck
:Girl, coming from you?
:I'm just here for the drama! Love seeing these guys crawling for Zohara!
:Diva indeed
:Another dog guarding our fairy sister
:lol
:Learn to fall in line @Leox H. were in millions!
:true
:the real winner here is Riujie
:i would die to be him for a day (kissing scene shoot)
:envy is a sin and Im a sinner
:@Zero you okay? I hope you're in your best state in the playoffs…
:Who will confess next?
•
January 1st, Thursday
Most people will spend their time with their loved ones after greeting the new year the eve of it. And most of them have free time because of a day off or school break until the 5th of January.
Zohara mostly livestream in Thursday and just studies. Thankfully, Zohara answers their questions every now and then, while most of them also choose to do their work while watching Zohara. Even though they are deprived of her attention.
The L-Videos are covered with cobwebs of countable in 10 fingers video while her L-Line recent posts are selfies which makes their missing seethed a little. Then she shared something from Director Lux and H. Cinema post.
•
@Ohara
The wait is over, watch this trailer and you'll know. See you in Cinema in February 1 📽️✨
•
Frose, who also became a Hara after following Zohara for a while because of Riujie, clicked the link. It's a trailer.
The first scene was the sky, trees and the sound of cicadas.
Then the first note.
Frose felt an immediate goosebump.
It's Zohara, playing a piano for a few seconds, but the suffocating feeling in the scene makes Frose gasp as the scene changes. From a clear video until it turns static and shown in a camcorder.
The scene changes and shows a beautiful boy with eyes devoid of emotion standing on the edge of the cliff.
Then a scene of that boy with Zohara, they were riding a bicycle then shifted to another scene of the boy with another girl.
"It's the summer I can't forget, It's my everything" That boy said while crying, beside him was the other girl with a face filled with understanding and sadness.
Then the scene changed showing a handwritten letter.
'The first breeze that I felt is the only thing I want.'
'Goodbye my Summertime'
The screen turns black then the title.
ECHOES OF SUMMER HEART
in Cinema
February 01, 20XX
Frose rewatched it, again and again and again.
Every time she heard that first note, she felt more than just suffocation but a gripping anxiety in her stomach knowing the person playing it does not end well.
Zohara looks so fragile, as if she'll disappear in a blink of an eye. The guy who she found out with a name Ceon and the other girl name Evon, both looks good and act well.
Frose felt excited to the movie but also scared.
•
@Ohara
The wait is over, watch this trailer and you'll know. See you in Cinema in February 1 📽️✨
23M Likes 3M Comments 10M shares
:FUCK ZOHARA WHAT WAS THAT? ITS SO FUCKING AMAZING EVEN WITH JUST THE TRAILER?!
:I COULDN'T RECOGNIZE ZOHARA AT FIRST, SHE CAN REALLY ACT!
:I keep thinking where did I hear the piano note, its a piano version of 'First Breeze'!
:I know I'll cry in this movi
:Is it just me, the moment I heard the first note, I felt suffocated that my stomach turned.
•
GC: ESH Cast
Assistant Jade: Good job everyone! The trailer is just released, you can share it!
Director Lux: We'll began promoting the Movie and the @Ceon and @Evon will be promoting the movie.
Ceon: Noted Director!
Evon: Im ready!
Director Lux: I also expect you @Ohara to attend the press conference tomorrow.
Zohara: Alright, but I might not be able to attend the other promotion.
Director Lux: I know, it's beyond your contract but I hope you can attend when you are free.
Zohara: I'll try
Director Lux: The press conference will be held in H.Hotel 27th floor, 10 AM. Arrived atleast 30 minutes before.
•
Zohara is wearing a strapless mini dress with a blue and silver tone. The top part hugs her body while the skirt flares out with an asymmetrical overlay, giving petal silhouette.
Her straight hair was curled a little while she wore the head band from Vespera Jewels. She wore a shiny diamond necklace with two rows wrapped by a ribbon near the end.
She left her condo unit and went towards H.Hotels conference hall. The outside of the hotel was packed with people, mostly Hara.
She pull down the window and wave her hand with a smile.
As if injected the shouting became louder, Zohara close the window once they enter the underground garage.
"The press con will be live later, have you reveiw the questions that they may asked? Even if a movie conference other reporters might still asked you irrelevant question." Manager Eli orient her
"Alrigt"
Ceon: Im already here in the stage backdoor
She read Ceon's message and did not reply and press 27th floor.
27th floor only have 3 rooms, conferences rooms. Their movie is in conference no. 2.
With her manager she enter the backdoor and what greeted her was tables and chair with the main leads seating there.
"Zohara" Ceon greeted her
"Ceon, its been a while" She said and look at the girl. She have long wavy brown hair, she have that kind looking face that seems hardworking and honest.
"Im Evon, glad to finally meeting you." Evon said and offered her hand
"Zohara, nice meeting you" She greeted
"The conference will be livestream so be careful. Also, just answer it truthfully, in the end they'll end up liking it no matter what." Director Lux said confidently.
:FUXK
:ZOHARA
:CEON
:EVON
:first time seeing the Ceon guy, he looks so good!
"Pleasant everyone, I'll be hosting this drama for the new movie directed by Lux titled Echoes of Summer Heart!"
"Let's first call the director! Director Lux!" The MC shout as Director Lux leave the back stage
"Then Ceon as Eliàn!"
"Evon as Kaia!"
"Zohara as Calix!"
:WAHHHHH SO PRETTY!
:GODDESS
:fuck, she looks so pretty
:those long legs!
As they walk on the stage, the reporters clap lightly. As they sat based on the sequence they were called.
"Let me grace the stage with the first question, how do you currently feel?"
"Satisfied, after finishing the post production I was too satisfied about it that I want to immediately release it." Director Lux answer using his mic
"How about you Ceon?" The MC asked
"Greatful, I actually read comments a lot. Seeing thiose comments appreciating the movie we work hard for makes me happy and greatful." Ceon answered with a smile
:A LITERAL ANGEL!
:WHERE DID YOU GET HIM?!
:WHY DIDN'T I KNOW HIM?
:look at his smile! I think I fall in love, sorry Zohara…
"Thats good to hear! Let's now proceed to the question of reporters. Just raise your hands!"
The MC uttered enthusiastically as he call some reporters, the reporters asked, they answer, it was a process.
"This is a question for Ms. Zohara, how did you get to know the vacant role?" A female reporter asked
"The assistant director saw my piano video then she contacted my manager" Zohara simply answer
"What about you Mr. Ceon and Ms. Evon?"
"I was also scouted by the Director" Evon answer with a smile
"Were all the same"
"I just want the best, so the character can be delivered beautifully" Director Lux added
"I heard your previous drama flop, what would be the difference to your movie now?"
"Talent" Director Lux coldly answer with raised eyebrow
:fuck
:he really said it
"Are you insuniating theres no talent in previous drama?"
"I can't say, Im in contract"
:thats basically saying they dont!
:watching that said drama, i want to clean my eyes
:the acting is really terrible
"What was the atmosphere like on set?"
"Director Lux is scary, he's perfectionist" Ceon said while laughing
"Yes, he's strict but because of it we were able to shoot more efficiently"
"Zohara, I heard it's your debut acting. How was it working with your co-stars?"
"Yeah, I only work with Ceon because of my character. Ceon is a nice guy, he also guided me a lot."
:another nice guy card…
:Zohara and her nice guy card
"I watched the trailer, it was a gripping story, were there any scenes that were emotionally difficult or memorable?"
"Thats my first time acting, when I auditioned after being scouted, the suffocating feelings of Calix emotions render me trembling for few minutes." Zohara answer
"Same with Zohara, there is a scene that I felt so overwhelmed with." Evon answered.
The press con was peaceful until someone asked irrelevant question.
"I heard two billionaire son's confess to you? Some netizen is asking how did you seduce them?"
:fuck
:im scared for the reporter
:seduced?! MY FAIRY SISTER DIDNT NEED TO
Zohara smile softly
"Firstly, I heard about their confession; it's not my obligation to reciprocate it. Lastly, I didnt seduce them, instead of asking me, ask them why they like me."
After the press con, they ate a lunch together in the hotel. Looking at the two Evon seems to be little interested to Ceon.
"Hows your shooting under Director Ayen? that woman is a witch" Director Lux said with a frightened expression
"Everythings well, we just simply shoot, like you, if you're satisfied her mood became alright." Zohara answer with a smile
"Have you hard time adjusting to big production?" Ceon asked
"No at all, the Director and seniors help me a lot. You know Senior Ma and Senior Cheng?"
"That two are legends, they are veterans artist that already been in the industry for decades." Evon answer
"Yes, they help me in my acting together with Senior Riujie."
They talked some random topic and went on their seperate ways.
"Zohara wait" Ceon said and they went to the corner. He got a gift from his bag and give it to her.
"This is what I message you before, youre too busy so… again belated happy birthday." Ceon said with a warm smile
"Its already a new year" Zohara joked with a laugh and accepts it "Thank you, goodluck to the rest of promotions."
"Yes, remember to reply" Ceon
"Yeah, yeah, yeah" Zohara answer while laughing as they bid their goodbye.
Ceon and her are friends. Ceon is really a gentleman and kind, he's warm but with a hint of matureness. If Soren is warm like a ball of naughty sunshine, Ceon is warm like spring, calm and comforting. Riujie is different, he seems to warm but walls surrounds him, he always act polite with a calculated distance. Leox, is a rapid dog, he do whatever but also extremely controlled. He never crosses lines Zohara erect. He never touch Zohara, be it arms, hands or any part of her. He does do whatever he can in his own way, like communicating about the shoot, giving her flowers, asking the things he was interested about.
At first Zohara answer him sarcastically or didnt say a word at all but she became use to it. She began answering truthfully, as long as he didnt cross the line. Zohara knows Leox is smart and just a hunter waiting for his prey.
Zohara went back to her unit and change her clothes before leaving again to went to CFS.
She have a schedule shoot tomorrow.
Zohara immediately lay to her bed back door of the van and slept.
Zohara woke up groggily and went to her room in the hotel not knowing someone was staring at her.
"Who's that?" A cute voice asked, she have that cute face that just makes people adore her.
"You might not know her because youre busy in the world tour but that's Zohara. She's a rising artist, her L-Line follower is already 32 million without any previous works." Her manager uttered seriously
"An influencer?" She asked coldly with a raised eyebrow, she also started as an influencer, entered an idol show, debut as a C member and became an actress.
"She started livestreaming June last year, now a movie where acted will be in cinema while she's also the female lead in S-tier drama of Director Ayen."
That cute girl stop on her tracks as if hearing a joke. She spends atleast 3 years to be a female lead in A-tier drama and that girl acted in S-tier in just a year?!
"Whose her sponsor?" She asked greedily, if she could have him then…
"Based on the people she doesnt have one, but Leox Hill is courting her and Soren Erlx also likes her."
"Hill and Erlx what a seductress, isnt she being dragged around?" She asked with a raise eyebrow, the netizen usually would say that she is a slut and seductress if this happened to anyone.
"Her fanbase is already powerful and those guys also helps her controlling the media."
"How enviable" She said coldly with her cute voice and enter the elevator. Her eyes immediately beamed and a wide smile plastered in her face.
"Brother Riujie!" She said happily with beaming eyes
Riujie's manager Dan, wanted to dragged Riujie away and run. Riujie didnt answer and just nod his head politely.
"Dont you remember me? I acted as your little sister in one your drama!" She shares excitedly
"Yeah, its been a long time." Riujie answer and type something in his phone.
Riujie: Are you here?
Zohara: Yeah
Riujie: Be right there.
"What are you doing here? Do you also have a shoot in CFS?"
"Yeah" Riujie answer and exit the elevator not wanting to hear another words. Haja grimaced when Riujie left as the elevator close.
"He's acting with Zohara"
"WHAT?! WHY DO I NEVER HEAR OF IT?!" she angrily shouted
Her manager want to cry, the management basically asked me to keep it away from you!
"Do you remember her?" Dan asked
"Theres only countable people who are this shameless." He answers as they part ways. He knocked on Zohara's room which was opened by her.
Zohara is wearing a pants and t-shirt. She opened the door and went inside, Riujie follow her and sat at the sofa. While Zohara jumped to her bed and sat there.
"I watched the trailer, its good." Riujie complimented
"I know" Zohara answer with a chuckle "You seems irritated?" she noticed
"Oh you can tell" Riujie said while touching his face
"Hmmm"
"Some pest keep buzzing" He answer with a light chuckle remembering those words from Zohara last year in the E-sport scene.
Zohara also laugh remembering it.
"What brings you here?" Zohara asked, they usually read scripts together every now and then but its always morning. They didnt want to create a scandal, it's 7PM right now. Riujie didnt answer and stand up in the sofa, he walk in the bed and sat at the edge.
"About the scene tomorrow, are you ready?" Riujie asked with a hint of worry and teasing.
The scene tomorrow is quite explicit. In the script, they have atleast 5 kissing scene and 4 of it was already shoot. The last one that was being dragged for months to let Zohara adjust.
The scene tomorrow is when they are in bed. Riujie will carress her legs and waist bare using his hand but they wouldnt do more than that. They'll let just edit it in post-production as if something happened.
"You know the answer" Zohara answer while chuckling
"Really? Then let's practice." He said uncharateristically
"I've never imagine you will offerr yourself like this?" Zohara said with raised eyebrow.
"Dont pretend you didnt notice" Riujie said and hold Zohara's fingers, playing with it.
"I know, but we both know what we feel is lust not love." Zohara said and dragged
Riujie in the bed using his hand that was playing with hers. He let her. She sat on his abdomen while her hands rest in his chest, Zohara look at Riujie under her, beautiful.
"I know" Riujie answer with hoarse voice and look away.
Zohara's hand roamed to Riujie's face, she rest it in his cheek while caressing his lower eye lid. She felt Riujie's hand in her foot.
Caressing it, her heel, her fingers.
"How many times do you already use this?" Zohara asked with a tilt head while she push herself down. Riujie groaned a little.
"Just to my 2 ex girlfriend then…" Riujie look away while his hands gripped thightly to Zohara's feet, controlling himself while Zohara slowly rubbing her lower body.
"then I masturbate when I needed" he further add with a hoarse voice.
Zohara didnt answer and just moan softly, as she felt the bulge under her jogging pants.
Zohara was flip and above her was Riujie, serious face, cold eyes that was filled with lust.
"Let's do it next time" Zohara said with a wide smile, she let her free hand carress Riujie eyes. Riujie close his eyes and tilt his head kissing her palm.
"Hmmm, let me calm down" Riujie said and lay on top of her, resting his face in her neck.
"Youre heavy" Zohara complained, Riujie immediately change their position onto sideways, still holding Zohara's waist and resting his face.
"Can you even calm down like this?" Zohara teased
"No, you smell so good" he added as his finger move to a small circular motion in her waist.
"What happened?" Zohara asked about Riujie sudden action.
"I felt threatened"
"I know you like honest person so I'll confessed, I felt threatened seeing you with Ceon."
"Not to Leox?"
"I can tell, youre closer to Ceon than Leox, he's also younger so..."
Zohara laughed.
"I dont know if I what I feel is lust or adoration, but I just want to act on it. Im selfish you know…"
"Well, were the same."
"Thats good, Im glad" He uttered and peck her neck a little.
Zohara just rubbed his hair as she get tired and fell asleep.
Riujie who heard her steady beathing opened his eyes and caressed Zohara's cheek while she was sleeping. He gently let her go, covered with a blanket before leaving the room.
•
February 1st, its the released of the Echoes of Summer Heart.
Zohara's scene in Silk Rebellion is almost finished and might only shoot until the end of February. While the remaining scene would end around the first week of March.
Then they'll do promotions in the second half of March before it's released in April. Because of a loose schedule, Zohara and Riujie went to the H.Mall to watch the first release of the show.
They are wearing a disguise.
"2 tickets of Echoes of Summer Heart" Riujie said, he wearing a jeans and black hoodie, face mask and hat. Zohara was also wearing the same.
Riujie also order a popcorn and drinks before they enter the theater. They choose the back seat and settled. The theater was packed with people and about to be filled.
After a few minutes the room was filled and the lights dimmed.
Zohara remove her hat and mask but still have a hoodie. The movie and play and start with Eliàn at the edge of a cliff, holding a letter. Then it shifts to Eliàn in college, while looking at soccer ball in the court the flashback start. Thats the theme of the movie, flashback every memory, when it was about to end, when Eliàn is watching the videocamera, and loud sad sobbed and shout excepts from Eliàn rendering all the audience crying.
Especially in the scene of Calix playing the piano, they are beyond heart broken. It was an open ending, in Eliàn in the edge of the cliff holding that letter.
"Why are you about to cry?" Zohara asked Riujie who have a redden eyes. He felt embarrassed and look away before coughing.
"Youre too good" He complimented and pinched her cheeks. Zohara laugh lightly as they cover themselves again and left the Cinema and Mall.
In the car, Zohara couldnt help but to laugh still finding Riujie redden eyes cute.
"Stop laughing" He said helplessly and start the car. They were only 30 minutes away from H. Hotel that is near the CFS.
Since that day, they became more closer but they never became too intimate again.
Mostly because of Zohara who didnt allow it, well, she wants to find how long can Riujie can hold back. She intentionally played with his hands sometimes, or became a little intimate just to see his reaction then she'll retract as if nothing happened. Riujie knows what she was doing and he cant help but to just react but couldnt do anything.
"But really, you really delivered the essence in the scene where you play piano." Riujie complimented as she drove the car.
"I know" Zohara laugh while surfing L-Line.
Shes looking if someone recognized them, she really doesnt really care but she knows Riujie is in contract. Based on what Riujie told her, the contract was about to end and his own studio in in final phase.
With his 10 years in the industry, its understandable he have now his independent connection. Riujie is not just an actor anymore, he is already a household name. His fanbase was also stable enought that even if he date someone they would just give their blessing, the problem was the contract where he currently signed with.
That's why Riujie cant also make a move to Zohara, that night, he act without thinking.
Its the first time for 5 years since its happened.
"What do you plan after the shoot?" Riujie asked
"Rest, studying while shooting really is tiring. I might not accept any work for atleast a year or so."
Zohara pursue flawlessness, she didnt want to forsake one thing for another if she's doing it. These past months, she always aced her exams, and activities. She never became careless with it. Then there's acting, it really takes toll, the shoot, and especially the shifting of characters emotion. Its really tiring. She wonder how artist with lots of other endorsement and such were able to live.
She was about to post something in her L-Line when her father called her.
"Father!"
"Are you in relationship?" Her father asked with a hint of worry, Zohara look at Riujie who also heard the question. Riujie and her eyes met, he look away.
Zohara chuckle.
"Im not" Zohara saw Riujie hand tighten in the wheels as his jaw clench a little.
"but Im interested to someone."
"Let me know if something else happened. Some press saw you two watching a movie, I already let Secretary Luke handle it."
"Thank you father!" Zohara exclaimed
"Hmmm, the thing you consult me about, I talk to the University Headmaster of Ascencia. You can transfer as long as you passed the entrance examination."
"Alright!" Zohara exclaimed excitedly, as the call end.
Since she was a young, Zohara has been dreaming to enter Ascencia University in Country V but she also want to experience the University A. So she decided to spend half of her bachelor degree in University A while the other half in Ascensia.
"Are you leaving?" Riujie asked seriously
"I planned to study for 2 years in Country V." She explained lightly not caring about his reaction. She didnt heard a reply, she raise her head from her phone and saw Riujie face, cold.
"Not this year, dont worry" She teased as she touch his lower eyelid but he move his face. Zohara raised her eyebrow and look away.
Hmmmm
He's too affected.
Her lips slightly raise before it became serious.